George Coleman de Kay (1802

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– 31 January 1849

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

) was a naval officer. He was buried at St George's Church cemetery,

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Biography

He was prepared for college, but ran away to sea. He became a skilful navigator, and took vessels built by Henry Eckford to South America. He volunteered in the navy of the Argentine Republic, then at war with

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

, and was given command of a brig in June 1827. After taking several prizes, he accepted a captain's commission, which he had declined on entering the service, preferring to win it by promotion. In an engagement with the brig “Cacique,” commanded by Capt. Manson, that vessel was captured, though twice the size of de Kay's, and much more heavily armed. When returning to

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in June 1828, his brig, the “Brandtzen,” was driven inshore in the Rio Plata by a Brazilian squadron. He scuttled the vessel to prevent her capture, swam ashore with his crew, and on reaching Buenos Aires was made commodore. After the peace, he delivered a corvette to the Ottoman Porte for Henry Eckford. He was with him in Constantinople when he died, Eckford at the time being superintendent of the Ottoman shipyards. Returning to New York, de Kay married in 1833 Janet, only child of

Joseph Rodman Drake Joseph Rodman Drake (August 7, 1795 – September 21, 1820) was an early American poet. Biography Born in New York City, he was orphaned when young and entered a mercantile house. While still a child, he showed a talent for writing poems. He wa ...

, the poet. In 1847 he took the U. S. frigate ''Macedonian'' to

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with supplies for the sufferers from the

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, having exerted himself to secure the passage of an act of

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permitting a government vessel to be so employed.

Family

His brother was the naturalist James Ellsworth de Kay. George de Kay's son was the poet

Charles de Kay Charles Augustus de Kay (July 25, 1848 – May 23, 1935) was a linguist, poet, critic, and fencer. He was a son of George Coleman De Kay, a naval officer. He graduated from Yale College in 1868. He was best known for founding the National Sculp ...

. George de Kay's daughter,

Helena de Kay Gilder Helena de Kay Gilder (1846 - May 28, 1916) was an American painter, illustrator, and cultural tastemaker from New York City. Early life and education Helena de Kay Gilder was born in New York City in 1846. She was the daughter of Janet de Kay a ...

, an artist, married Richard Watson Gilder, an editor, poet and political activist.

Biography

Family

Notes

References

Further reading